The President of the Rivers Entrepreneur and Investors’ Forum, Ibifiri Bobmanuel, has revealed that the actions of the Rivers State Government and some local governments in the state were the reasons the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was moved from Rivers State to Lagos State.

Bobmanuel, in an interview with DAILY POST said the forum engaged the management of the Dangote Group and also wrote the Federal government for the refineries not to be moved to Lagos.

The President of REIF, however, noted that it was discovered that the Rivers State Government and the local governments where the refineries were to be located, Okrika and Eleme made huge demands from Dangote Group, which led them to move the refineries to Lagos.

“The Dangote refinery was to be situated in Rivers State and later they made a U-turn and went to Lagos, and we were very miffed by the whole approach.

“We wrote a couple of letters to the management of the Dangote group. “We went as far as writing to the Federal Government.

“When they called for a meeting with us, we went for that meeting. It was discovered that the investment that was meant to be situated in Rivers State, precisely Okrika and Eleme Local Government Areas, they got preliminary land acquisition and agreement and perfected all that.

“But the amount of pushback and demands that were from the state government at that time, obviously, left them with no other option but to go and situate the business at a location where they were welcomed.”

Bobmanuel said the Rivers State Government, local governments and communities need to understand how to negotiate with business owners to attract businesses.

“This brings us back to what we at the Investors’ Forum have always talked about. We’ve always felt the Rivers State Government, the local governments and the communities need to understand the language of businesses.

“You can only imagine the amount of impact the refinery is going to have on the IGR of Lagos State. Imagine if that investment was situated in Rivers State”.

He said the incoming government needs to sit up and see the importance of private participation in governance in the state.

Praxis758:
Rivers people: Eepa n para e, o loun n p’aja.

When you shot youself in the leg and still expect to win in a track relay race.

Nwaetche:
What do you know about Rivers State?

I keep saying that any Industrialist can locate his industry in anywhere he feels he can make profit with ease. However our government is not being sincere to the peculiar problems of the Niger Delta.

Have you ever pondered what the North or even the South West would say if a Gold Refinery or base metal refinery is sited in Port Harcourt, Yenegoa, Warri or Benin instead of the North West where these metals are mined.

Nwaetche:
What do you know about Rivers State?

I keep saying that any Industrialist can locate his industry in anywhere he feels he can make profit with ease. However our government is not being sincere to the peculiar problems of the Niger Delta.

Have you ever pondered what the North or even the South West would say if a Gold Refinery or base metal refinery is sited in Port Harcourt, Yenegoa, Warri or Benin instead of the North West where these metals are mined.

muykem:
Niger Delta needs to tackle insecurity from militant and hostility to oil companies

BRIMBRAM:


"Asiwaju of Nigeria" was how Dangote kept calling Buhari's successor who the people of Rivers State massively voted for in the last election.

The people of Rivers State know how to chase you to either fortunes or misfortune. As for Dangote, he is fortunate and he has the people of Rivers State to also thank for their thoughtful action.

But as for Peter Obi who Dangote did not even mention just once, and who the people of Rivers State chased out of the race into Aso Rock with their votes. I want to say, Rivers State will continue to be a great blessing to Nigeria.

seanfer:


If the states in those regions you mentioned are not reasonable with their demands the investor will move to where he/she is welcome. Here in Rivers State there are too many demands from LGAs, CDCs and community elders and youths.
Imagine the community elders blocking the entrance of an international company like Agip for days just because they feel that they are entitled to some money.
OPM had to stop the construction of free hospital and school the church was building in Okrika because the community were making unreasonable demands, they even gave the church 7 days ultimatum to provide their demands or leave the community.
Please tell me which serious investor will want to invest in such environment.
I know what the company I work for go through every month in the hands of community and LGA touts.

Nwaetche:
What do you know about Rivers State?

I keep saying that any Industrialist can locate his industry in anywhere he feels he can make profit with ease. However our government is not being sincere to the peculiar problems of the Niger Delta.

Have you ever pondered what the North or even the South West would say if a Gold Refinery or base metal refinery is sited in Port Harcourt, Yenegoa, Warri or Benin instead of the North West where these metals are mined.

FreeStuffsNG:

https://dailypost.ng/2023/05/22/refineries-how-dangote-group-was-chased-away-from-rivers-bobmanuel/?amp=1

Praxis758:
Rivers people: Eepa n para e, o loun n p’aja.

When you shot youself in the leg and still expect to win in a track relay race.

seanfer:


If the states in those regions you mentioned are not reasonable with their demands the investor will move to where he/she is welcome. Here in Rivers State there are too many demands from LGAs, CDCs and community elders and youths.
Imagine the community elders blocking the entrance of an international company like Agip for days just because they feel that they are entitled to some money.
OPM had to stop the construction of free hospital and school the church was building in Okrika because the community were making unreasonable demands, they even gave the church 7 days ultimatum to provide their demands or leave the community.
Please tell me which serious investor will want to invest in such environment.
I know what the company I work for go through every month in the hands of community and LGA touts.

Bobloco:


You were doing well with your sycophantic post but ruined it by mentioning Peter Obi that got absolutely nothing to do with the thread

BRIMBRAM:


I agree with you. I shouldn't have mentioned Peter Obi because just like you have rightly said, my post became ruined. Anything Peter Obi represents ruinations, destruction, confusion, just take a look at the calamity in Labour Party.

Bobloco:


You are ruined